OVERJOYED air cadets are able to take to the skies once again in a new flight simulator.

The 2187 Canvey Air Cadets squadron, based in Runnymede Road, has been given £10,000 by the Big Lottery Fund to buy the high-tech equipment to aid the cadets’ training.

The artificial device recreates the experience of being in the sky. It will help youngsters with aviation based training once flying activities cease in 2015.

Dozens of cadets from 26 squadrons across Essex will be able to use the state-of-the-art technology alongside the 43 Canvey youngsters. Doug Norman, the squadron’s commanding officer and flight lieutenant, said: “We try to get the cadets up and flying whenever we can, but with Government cuts the Ministry of Defence doesn’t have the money to fund us so they are unfortunately not doing as much technical flying as they should do.

“We are all really excited about this and hopefully it will be with us by the end of January.”

The Air Training Corps provides opportunities for young people aged between 13 and 20 to train in flying and gliding, learn survival skills, and study for a number of qualifications, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All programme offers grants to groups between £300 and £10,000.

Last month more than 100 projects shared a total of almost £900,000 in funding.

Alison Rowe, Big Lottery Fund spokesman, said: “Our Awards for All programme is accessible to a wide range of groups who all have a desire to make a positive difference in their communities.”